Ingredients
Chicken Thighs
- 3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Marinade
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
Seasonings
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground paprika
Instructions
- Trim chicken: Trim off any excess fat from the boneless, skinless chicken thighs and discard it to ensure a leaner dish.
- Prepare marinade: In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, olive oil, and minced garlic until well combined, creating a creamy seasoning base for the chicken.
- Coat chicken: Place the trimmed chicken thighs into a large bowl and thoroughly coat them with the mayo mixture, ensuring each piece is evenly covered.
- Season chicken: Sprinkle salt, ground black pepper, chili powder, and paprika over the coated chicken. Mix everything well to distribute the spices evenly over the thighs.
- Marinate: Cover and refrigerate the chicken to marinate for 3 to 4 hours, or preferably overnight, allowing the flavors to infuse deeply.
- Arrange for baking: Transfer the marinated chicken into a baking dish, placing them in a single layer to promote even cooking.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C) and bake the chicken for 35 to 45 minutes until the outside is crisp and golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and serve: Let the baked chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute, enhancing tenderness and flavor.
Notes
- Marinating overnight enhances flavor and tenderness but 3-4 hours is sufficient.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
- Bone-in thighs can be used but will require a longer baking time.
- Adjust chili powder according to your preferred spice level.
- Leftover chicken stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheats nicely.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose